The best shortcut software for Windows 10

Keyboard shortcuts are extremely useful since they allow you to perform certain actions quickly. Windows has a wide range of available shortcuts, but you can also create your own custom shortcuts. To create your own shortcuts you need a proper software, and today we’re going to show you the best shortcut software for Windows 10.

What is the best shortcut software for Windows?

If you want to create shortcuts you might be interested in ShortKeys software. This application allows you to create simple shortcuts that can help you enter the desired text. To use a shortcut you just need to enter one or two characters to trigger the shortkey. Using this tool you can send the replacement text do your documents or to your clipboard.

The application supports Rich Text format and you can easily stylize the replacement text. If needed, you can set the type speed for your replacement text. In addition, you can pause the playback, enter the desired text manually and resume the playback with a single key press. ShortKeys also supports capital letters, and if your shortkey has a first capital letter your replacement text will have first capital letter as well. In addition, the application also supports timed delays to text playback. If needed, you can make your shortkeys uppercase and lowercase sensitive, thus allowing you to create more combinations. You can also change the scope of your shortcuts and allow macros to play in all programs or only in specific applications.

The application supports wide range of symbols and international characters for text replacement. In addition to symbols, you can also enter date and time with ease. If needed, you can add various keys to your macros, such as Page Up, Page Down, Insert, arrow keys, etc. There’s also a spell checker for American and British English so you can easily check your input.

The application supports unlimited number of files and unlimited number of shortkeys per file. Of course, you can easily load more than one macro file at the time. We also have to mention that you can have up to 65,536 text characters per shortkey replacement. If you want you can even organize your shortkeys into different categories. You can also import or export your shortkeys and there’s even an automatic file backup option.

ShortKeys is a solid application, but it might take you few minutes to get used to it. Shortkey creation process can be a bit complicated for a first time user, but you should be able to learn how the process works in a matter of minutes. This application isn’t free, so if you want to use it without restrictions you’ll need to purchase a license. Of course, 30-day trial version is available for download, but there’s also a Lite version available. The Lite version offers support for up to 15 shortkeys and it doesn’t have network support or a spell checker. Despite these limitations, the Lite version is completely free and you can use it indefinitely.

If you’re an advanced user and you’re looking for a free and powerful shortcut software, you might want to consider using AutoHotkey. This application allows you to create hotkeys for both keyboard and mouse. In addition, you can also remap keys if you want to.

AutoHotkey is an open-source scripting language for Windows that allows you to create all sorts of shortcuts and macros on your PC. The application has a flexible syntax that should be relatively simple to use. This tool supports wide range of features, and you can open a specific website with a keyboard shortcut or copy the text and edit it automatically before pasting it. These are some of the basic functions that you can perform, but you can also create all sorts of complex shortcuts.

According to the developer, AutoHotkey comes with built-in commands for beginners, so it will be easy for first-time users to create their own custom commands and shortcuts. The application will allow you to automate any task so it’s perfect for any advanced user that is familiar with programming.

As we already mentioned, this is an open source (GNU GPLv2) application, so you can use it without any restrictions. We have to mention that there’s also a portable version available so you can run this tool on your PC without an installation.

AutoHotkey allows you to automate tasks and create all sorts of shortcuts. This is an extremely powerful tool, but it requires you to create all your shortcuts and functions manually. Fortunately for you, the application comes with an extensive manual, so we encourage you to check it out. This application might not be suitable for basic users, but if you have some programming knowledge you should be able to use AutoHotkey without any issues.

KeyRocket is a useful application that allows you to learn keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts can speed up your work, and if you don’t use shortcuts often this tool will allow you to learn all the necessary shortcuts.

The application has a streamlined user interface, and you’ll learn new shortcuts right from your favorite applications. Regarding the supported applications, KeyRocket works with Windows 10, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Visual Studio.

The application will add over 40 new keyboard shortcuts that are missing from Microsoft Office. In addition, you can also assign your own keyboard shortcuts to almost any function. The application has auto-detection feature that detects functions that you use frequently. Thanks to this feature you can assign shortcuts for those functions thus making them easier to access.

It’s worth mentioning that KeyRocket has a dashboard that keeps track of your statistics and number of shortcuts used. The application doesn’t require any configuration, so it’s perfect for both basic and advanced users alike. KeyRocket is a great tool that will allow you to learn all keyboard shortcuts for the most popular Microsoft applications. Unfortunately KeyRocket isn’t free, but you can download and use the free evaluation version for 7 days.

This is another shortcut software, but unlike other tools on our list, it doesn’t support keyboard shortcuts. SlickRun is simple to use and it allows you to launch your favorite applications or websites with ease. Once you install the application it will create a bar in the bottom right corner. From there you can instantly launch any application or a website. Simply enter the application alias in the search bar and press the Enter key to start the application.

In addition to starting applications, this tool will also show you memory information along with the current date and time. The application comes with several available aliases, but you can also create your own in a matter of seconds. Simply enter the magic word that you want to use to run a specific application or a website. After that enter the file location or the website address. If needed, you can set the start mode or various parameters for your applications. Of course, you can choose to run the application as a current user or with administrator privileges. The application also allows you to test your magic word at any time and see if it works.

SlickRun is a free shortcut software that allows you to start any application or a website simply by entering its alias. This is a solid shortcut software, but it doesn’t support any keyboard shortcuts which can be a flaw for some users. In addition, some users might not like the application’s humble user interface. Despite these minor flaws, this is still a great shortcut software, so be sure to try it out.

Another application that allows you to quickly launch applications and websites is PS Hot Launch. The application allows you to add any application or document to PS Hot Launch and start it with just a couple of clicks. If you want, you can organize your items into groups or even add separators to organize them better.

This tool also has the ability to assign keyboard shortcuts to all your entries. This means that you can start any application simply by pressing the hotkey that you assigned. Of course, you can also select your applications from the menu. To make your experience more streamlined, you can also open the menu using a keyboard shortcut.

PS Hot Launch is a simple application that allows you to add your favorite applications, documents and websites to a single menu. The menu supports wide range of customization, and you can customize it anyway you want. Thanks to the support for keyboard shortcuts, you can also open any application or a document in a matter of seconds. PS Hot Launch is a solid shortcut software, and since it’s available for free there’s no reason not to try it.

If you like using keyboard shortcuts, you might be interested in this application. Just like many other applications on our list, HotKeyBind allows you to run specific applications by pressing a certain hotkey.

You can use this tool to start any application, directory or a file with a keyboard shortcut. In addition, you can open a specific web page or even perform a web search using this tool. The application also allows you to control your open windows and to shut down or restart the PC simply by pressing a keyboard shortcut. In addition, you can change the volume or copy / insert a desired text.

HotKeyBind offers a humble but straightforward user interface, so you should be able to create custom shortcuts with ease. This is a completely free application, and if you want to create custom shortcuts on your PC feel free to try it.

Another free shortcut software for Windows is HotkeyP. This is a simple application that allows you to create your own custom shortcuts. You can use your shortcuts to open any application, file, directory or web location with ease.

In addition, you can assign various system functions to your shortcuts. For example, you can shutdown or restart your PC, delete temporary files, open Control Panel items, and much more. In addition, you can control your display with custom shortcuts, turn it off, start a screensaver or change your wallpaper. HotkeyP also allows you to control your open windows and you can minimize, resize or change their opacity. If needed, you can also terminate tasks with a simple keyboard shortcut.

The application offers some playback control, and you can easily change the volume or eject a disc with a keyboard shortcut. Lastly, you can also perform various macros using this tool. The tool allows you to assign special parameters as well as working directory for selected applications.

If needed, you can change window opacity and process priority with your shortcuts. In addition, you can start applications with administrator privileges. You can also add your shortcuts to specific categories in order to organize them better.

All your shortcuts are visible from the main menu and you can organize them or edit them with a single click. The application has a simplistic interface, so even the most basic users will be able to use it.

HotkeyP offers wide range of features, and thanks to the simple user interface the application will be suitable for both basic and advanced users alike. The application is completely free and portable, so be sure that you try it out.

Another free application that allows you to create custom shortcuts is Clavier+. This application allows you to open any application, document or directory with a single keyboard shortcut. In addition to applications, you can also open any website by pressing a keyboard shortcut.

In addition, you can paste the desired text using a keyboard shortcut. The application has a menu that allows you to quickly choose any installed application and assign shortcut to it. Of course, you can also search for applications manually if the desired application isn’t available on the list. Clavier+ also supports special characters, and you can assign them to any shortcut with ease. We have to mention that application can recognize both left and right Ctrl, Shit, Alt or Windows Key, thus allowing you to create custom shortcuts easily. In addition, you can test any of your shortcuts right from the application.

The application has a simple user interface and you should be able to create custom shortcuts with ease. We have to mention that there’s no support for special functions, so you can’t control playback, turn off your PC or control open windows. Despite this limitation this is still a great shortcut software, and since it’s completely free we advise you to try it out. We have to mention that there’s also a portable version available, so you can run this tool on any PC without installation.

Another free application that allows you to create your own keyboard shortcuts is HotKeyz. The application has a simple interface and you can easily see all your custom shortcuts. All shortcuts are sorted into categories and you can easily organize them or disable a certain shortcut completely. In addition, you can disable an entire category of shortcuts with a single click.

Keyboard shortcut creation process is rather simple and you just need to enter the description for the shortcut along with the desired category. As for shortcuts, you can use them to launch any file, application or directory on your PC. In addition, you can also record and play macros by using the keyboard shortcuts. You can also assign various Control Panel options to your shortcuts or use the shortcuts to control open windows. HotKeyz also supports various system functions, and you can use the shortcut keys to turn off your PC or to end a specific process.

Another powerful shortcut software that you might want to check out is AlomWare Actions. The application has a friendly user interface so it will be appealing to new users. Thanks to the simple interface you can create actions and shortcuts with just a few clicks.

Using this tool you can start any application, open any file or website with ease. In addition, you can record and playback macros, set clipboard text or paste any text. In addition to macros, you can run DOS commands and assign keystrokes to your shortcuts.

We have to mention that AlomWare Actions supports advanced actions as well. The application offers more that 160 different actions and you can easily launch apps, add counters, move and delete files and folders, etc. By combining these actions you can create complex actions and assign them to a keyboard shortcut. Regarding complex actions, you can see every step of the action in the right pane and manually configure it.

AlomWare Actions is a powerful shortcut software that allows you to create basic actions with ease. The application also supports more complex actions thus offering limitless possibilities. We have to mention that the Lite version of this app is completely free, so feel free to try it. The Lite version allows you to have up to 10 actions, but if you want to remove this limitation you need to purchase the full version. We have to mention that there’s also a portable version available, so you can run this tool on any PC without installation.

Another free shortcut software that we want to show you is Shortcuts map. Unlike other entries on our list, this application allows you to see all user created shortcuts. The application has a simple interface that will show you the list of installed applications along with the assigned shortcuts. This makes it easier to sort your applications and find the one that has a shortcut assigned to it.

Shortcuts Map is simple to use, and in order to assign a shortcut you just need to double click the desired application. After doing that, the properties window will appear and you’ll be able to assign a shortcut with ease.

Shortcuts Map is a plain application and it doesn’t offer any advanced features. However, the application allows you to easily view and add new shortcuts, which can be useful to some users. Regarding the flaws, the application doesn’t have the most streamlined user interface, so you might encounter some minor interface issues. The application is completely free, so feel free to try it out.

If you’re looking for a shortcut software you might want to consider Keyboard Hotkey Pro. The application has a simple interface thus allowing you to create new shortcuts with ease. Using this tool you can paste any text or clean up your PC with a single shortcut. In addition, you can compress, move, or delete files. You can also turn off your PC, control open windows and audio playback of certain media players. The application supports FTP upload, and it can also run any application or a website. In addition to applications, you can start any Control Panel applet with a simple keyboard shortcut.

Keyboard Hotkey Pro supports shortcut sharing, and you can share your shortcuts with other users on your network. Of course, you can also export and import your custom hotkeys. The application also supports password protection so you can lock the application and prevent others from modifying your shortcuts.

Keyboard Hotkey Pro has a simple interface so it’s perfect for basic and first time users. We have to mention that you can’t create shortcuts simply by pressing the desired keys on your keyboard. Instead you have to select the desired keys from the menu which isn’t the most straightforward method. The free version offers up to 10 shortcuts, but if you want to remove this limitation you need to purchase the full version.

Another shortcut software that you might find useful is Text Expander. Unlike some other entries on our list this application doesn’t allow you to start other applications with a shortcut key. Instead you can create an abbreviation and use it to quickly enter a desired text. In addition to text, this application supports pictures and rich text.

The application also supports macros and you can assign keyboard shortcuts to macros in order to run them quickly. Text Expander has an autocomplete feature that will recognize the phrases you commonly use and create suggestions as you type. We have to mention that this application supports groups thus allowing you to easily organize your shortcuts. In addition, there’s also an ability to share your shortcuts with other users in your organization.

Text Expander is a solid application, and if you do a lot of text-related work you might want to consider it. We have to mention that this tool isn’t free, so if you want to continue using it you’ll need to purchase a license.

Shortcut software can be rather useful if you want to create your own shortcuts and boost your productivity. We showed you some of the best shortcut tools, so feel free to try any of them.